DTI cracks down on fraudulent ads with ASC

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is cracking down on dishonest advertisements, supply chain issues and sales scams by inking key partnerships with 3 industry groups.The three memoranda of understanding were signed by the Advertising Standards Council (ASC), Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP) and the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers (PCFM) this Tuesday.The agreement with the DTI establishes deeper ties with the ASC to ward off misleading advertisements and sales promotion practices.By signing, the non-profit organization agrees to be aligned with DTI’s existing legal mandate, regulate and monitor the implementation of the Consumer Act, appear as a witness in cases involving fraudulent advertising practises and resolve relevant disputes.Established in 2008, the ASC replaced the former AdBoard Advertising Content & Regulations Committee and is mandated to “promote truth in advertising through self-regulation of advertising content.Similar to the ASC partnership, DTI’s MOU with the DSAP looks into fraudulent activity specifically in pyramid sales schemes that have swindled thousands of Filipinos nationwide. Initial plans include education campaigns and clarifying concerns on legitimate direct selling firms.Meanwhile, the DTI-PCFM tie-up aims to ensure the availability of basic commodities especially in times of calamities and other events that can disturb the pricing and supply of goods.